Alexandra Kidd’s Elizabeth Bay apartment has been part of her life since 2005, when it belonged to her partner Ian. It was the home where their shared life began, the place they returned to after years in the United States and eventually the foundation for their young family. In 2020, the apartment underwent its most ambitious evolution with the acquisition of airspace above and the addition of an entire upper level — the second major renovation in a 20-year story of growth and renewal.
At the centre of the design sits a curving white staircase that rises through the home like a sculptural ribbon, connecting the original darker interiors below with the light-filled addition above. The lower level retains its palette of deep black as a deliberate reference to the first renovation and the memories held within it. The upper floor opens to the horizon through glass and sky, shaped by architectural influences drawn from Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Architect Matthew Cumming of Mijollo International led the complex structural work required to build upward. Tight access and intricate weight considerations defined the process. The staircase was craned in section by section and welded on site to form its fluid silhouette — a technical challenge that resulted in the sculptural spine now connecting both levels.
The new pavilion reads as calm and open, filled with natural light but softened through warm timbers, expressive stones and textural fabrics. Strong geometry is balanced with gentle curves and sculptural furniture. Despite its urban Potts Point context, the home feels cocooned. The master suite is wrapped in soft sheers and natural light and the ensuite connects directly to a pocket of greenery, offering private outdoor bathing in the heart of the city.
Kidd describes every element as chosen for how it made her feel. Furniture, lighting and art are layered with intention, giving the home an ease that feels lived in rather than styled. The spaces reflect the rhythm of family life, with every room engaged and every metre purposeful. Thoughtful sightlines, reflective surfaces and subtle transitions amplify the sense of space while maintaining intimacy. The pavilion above feels weightless, yet the materiality throughout remains warm and grounding.
What began as a one-bedroom apartment has grown into a family home that documents two decades of personal and professional evolution. Refined, sculptural and deeply personal, Higher Love suggests that design, like the relationships it houses, becomes more assured as it develops over time.
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